The three stages of the Ford RideLondon Classique cycling race have been revealed - with the event set to kick off in Saffron Walden.
The Classique is part of the UCI Women's World Tour, and also part of Ford RideLondon - which includes several mass-participation events taking place on Sunday, May 28.
Stage one of Ford RideLondon Classique will start in Saffron Walden on Friday, May 26, and finish after 150km on East Hill in Colchester.
The second stage, which runs for 140km, will start and finish in Maldon - where last year's race opened - on Saturday, May 27.
Stage three, on Saturday, May 28, will take place in the heart of London and start and finish on The Mall.
Riders will race multiple laps of a city centre circuit, taking them past some of London's most famous landmarks.
Cllr Alexander Armstrong, Uttlesford District Council's portfolio holder for sports and leisure, said: "We’re looking forward to Saffron Walden hosting stage one of the Ford RideLondon Classique – it should be a fantastic spectacle and shine a spotlight on our district and beautiful and historic market towns.
"The mass participation rides are also an opportunity for people to keep fit and active, and also to promote active travel as part of the move towards carbon net zero."
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The full route details of the three stages will be confirmed shortly.
Ford RideLondon Classique race director Scott Sunderland said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for the people of Saffron Walden, Colchester and Maldon to come out and see the world’s best female riders racing through their streets and we thank Uttlesford District Council, Colchester City Council and Maldon District Council for helping to make this possible."
Other events taking place as part of Ford RideLondon are the FreeCycle - a free event for all that takes place on largely the same roads as the final stage of the Classique - and the RideLondon-Essex, which goes through Great Dunmow and Felsted.
Ride-London Essex will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. It was previously held between London and Surrey, but switched to Essex last year.
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